We have some of the most beautiful heritage sites in Pakistan, one of them being the Badshahi Mosque, it’s no wonder every celebrity is frolicking there to get married.

14) Innovative reporting

Remember Chand Nawab? Yep, we can always count on our local reporters to add some, um, flavour to the 9pm news.

15) Gormint Lady

Have no fear, Gormint Lady is here. She truly represents our awaam, who’s not shy from speaking the truth. In her words, ‘Yeh gormit bik gai hai!’

(The following video contains explicit language.)

16) Abdus Salam

The theoretical physicist won a Nobel Prize for Physics in 1979. He also helped set up Pakistan’s first nuclear power plant in Karachi in 1970.

17) Shrine culture

Besides Pakistan’s heritage sites, we can boast of a rich tradition of spirituality celebrated at shrines. From beautifully intricate mosques to Hindu temples and churches, these sacred places are a treat to visit.

18) Samina Baig

She’s the first Pakistani woman to climb all seven highest peaks in the seven continents in just under eight months. Need we say more?

19) We’re taking steps to make gender equality a reality in Pakistan

Ok fine, these might be baby steps but still. The Pakistani government recognised the transgender community and is trying to safeguard their rights by giving them jobs in the public sector and allowing them to identify themselves as a third gender on their CNICs.

In recent years, bills have also been passed that protect women from domestic harassment.
20) Badass women

There is no dearth of Pakistani women who have fought stereotypes and for their rights. Women like Malala, who’s fighting for women’s education in Pakistan; Sabeen Mahmud; who fought to make sure all voices were heard; Maria Toorpakay Wazir, who disguised herself as a boy in order to play squash.

21) Indigenous fashion — so good that it inspires international designers

Be it our famous Peshawari chapals (remember the Paul Smith £300 chappas?), our shalwar kameez (Versace’s Men’s SS16 collection in Milan and not to forget Kendall Jenner wearing a kameez-style dress, our short kurtis and our truck art designs, needless to say, international designers are now looking at Pakistani fashion for inspiration.

22) Our natural beauty

Pakistan’s natural beauty is the stuff desktop wallpapers are made of.

From the scenic mountains up north down to the beaches of Balochistan, the country is dotted with sights that could take anyone’s breath away.

Here are some sneakpeeks:
Nanga Parbat — Ali Abbas Akhtar/Instagram

Astola Island in Balochistan

Hunza’s Attabad Lake

23) Pakistani films are bigger and better than ever before.

From rom-coms and biopics to action flicks and horror movies, the Pakistani cinema industry is well on its way to finding itself again.